Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 14: In a significant development in the ongoing evacuation of Indian medical students from Iran, the first batch of around 101 students, including many from Jammu and Kashmir, is expected to reach India on March 15.
According to details, the first batch will depart at 1:25 AM from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, after crossing into the country from Iran. The students will travel via Dubai before reaching India.
As per the travel schedule, the flight is expected to arrive in Mumbai at around 4:15 AM, while another group will reach New Delhi at approximately 9:55 AM on March 15.
Officials said that around 90 students have already crossed into Azerbaijan, while others are currently on their way towards different international borders as part of the evacuation route being facilitated for Indian nationals stranded in Iran.
Most of the students in the first batch belong to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, institutions that host a large number of Indian medical students, particularly from Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the evacuation schedule has faced certain disruptions. Two previously scheduled flights—one expected to reach Mumbai on March 14 and another planned for March 17—have been cancelled, leading to changes in travel arrangements and delays in the evacuation process.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, National Vice President of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), said that efforts are on to bring back all students stranded in war-hit Iran.
Students from Isfahan and Arak, who are currently staying in their respective hostels, have requested that concerned authorities, including AIMSA, raise their concerns with the authorities and expedite their relocation. They said uncertainty regarding their evacuation schedule is causing anxiety among them.
Several students from Islamic Azad University and Iran University of Medical Sciences, including those who were earlier relocated from Tehran, have already reached Azerbaijan as part of the evacuation route, while others are still travelling towards the border checkpoints.
Another group of students has successfully reached Tabriz after travelling from Qom, where they had stayed overnight. They are now moving towards the Armenian border, from where further travel arrangements are expected to be made.
Students studying in Kerman were shifted to Qom on the evening of March 13, while those from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences are also currently stationed there and are awaiting further instructions regarding their evacuation and travel arrangements.
Families of the students in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed relief over the progress of the evacuation, but have urged authorities to ensure the safe and timely return of all remaining students still stranded in different parts of Iran.
The evacuation process is being carried out in phases as students are being moved from different Iranian cities to safer locations and then transported towards neighbouring countries to facilitate their return to India.
